Alert Issued Due to Increase in Snake Bites in Queensland, Australia

Synopsis

Residents in Queensland, Australia are on alert due to a significant increase in snake bites, prompting safety warnings. Recent incidents have led to hospitalizations, including critical cases. Experts urge caution and advise against direct interaction with snakes, emphasizing the importance of contacting professionals.

Key Takeaways

Queensland sees a rise in snake bites.
Seven people were hospitalized recently.
Urban expansion is encroaching on snake habitats.
Fatal snake bites are rare but can occur.
Seek medical attention immediately for any snake bite.

Sydney, Feb 17 (NationPress) Residents of Queensland, located in the northeastern part of Australia, are urged to exercise caution around snakes in light of a troubling increase in incidents. Over the weekend, seven individuals were hospitalized due to snake bites, including a man in his 30s who remains in critical condition after sustaining an ankle bite approximately 40 km north of Brisbane on Sunday afternoon.

Data from the Queensland Ambulance Service reveals that there were 129 documented snake bites throughout the state in December, followed by 128 in January.

In just the week leading up to February 10, there were 24 reported occurrences.

Stuart McKenzie, the proprietor of a snake-catching service in Queensland, commented on Australian Broadcasting Corporation television on Monday, indicating that this summer has set a new record.

He linked the uptick in snake encounters to the expanding urban development encroaching on snake habitats.

"If you discover a snake in your yard or home, it's crucial to maintain a safe distance and contact a snake catcher," he advised. "The key is to avoid touching them, do not attempt to relocate them personally, and do not kill them — all of these actions are illegal and there are regulations to ensure the safety of both individuals and snakes."

Tragically, a teenager named Beau Horan passed away in November, just days after being bitten by an eastern brown snake in the yard of his family’s house near Gladstone, over 400 km north of Brisbane.

The eastern brown is recognized as the world’s second-most venomous terrestrial snake, prevalent throughout Queensland.

While fatal snake bites are uncommon in Australia, there have been 35 reported cases from 2000 to 2016, according to the Xinhua news agency.

A venomous snakebite delivers venom, which is a toxic substance, into the victim’s body. This can lead to injury and, in rare instances, can be fatal.

According to the CDC, around 8,000 snakebites occur annually in the US. Even a bite from a non-venomous snake can lead to infection or an allergic reaction in some individuals. For your safety, treat all snakebites as if they were venomous and seek immediate medical attention at a hospital emergency room.